Why I joined: "Things have to change"

Socialist Party placard (Click to enlarge)

Katie Hopkins, Cornwall Socialist Party

I look around at prices going up for everything and can't understand how we can sustain this way of life for even the next ten years!

I live in Cornwall and I don't own my own home. I have to move all the time and I've already had to move out of my hometown to be able to afford the ever growing rents. I have been on benefits even when working and I have seen my rent go up while housing benefit has stayed flat.

Even working 46 hours a week for above minimum wage, my benefits were still half of my income. This isn't okay. My rent is more than a mortgage. But I can't get one because I can't save. To me housing should not be a privilege, but a right.

I'm worried about everything. Our rights at work, everything. I recently started a new job. I signed a contract for a year's work but was asked to leave after nine months. I had no problems at work and was told I did my job well. One day I expressed to my manager that work was quiet and maybe I could reduce my hours a little. The next day I was asked to leave.

I had no money coming in. I had a contract. I never realised that until you've been working for a company for two years you have few rights. Since then I've heard stories of companies using this as part of their day-to-day practice. Taking advantage of the four weeks' notice period or getting rid of people just before they reach the two year line.

Things have to change, that's why I have joined the Socialist Party.

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.

Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.

We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to click here to donate to our Fighting Fund.